The original MBT from 2004

Example of pronated feet

Are rocker sole shoes the greatest footwear ever invented or are consumers getting set up for the 2010 version of the popular 1970’s Earth shoe?

Background
Rocker shoes have been around for a long, long time.  As pedorthists, we use a variety of rocker soles to help people with foot problems.  Rocker soles can be:

• a negative heel to help unload the forefoot (like an Earth shoe)

• a double rocker to help relieve mid-foot arthritis

• a heel-to-toe rocker to help replace lost motion at the ankle (MBT) or hybrid like a negative heel/forefoot (Chung Shi) that uniquely accomplishes results for a variety of foot pathologies.

In 2004, our store brought on a funky looking rocker bottom shoe called Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) from a company in Switzerland.  At $245 the shoes were a fantastic value.  People who could not normally walk due to an ankle fusion could now move with a normal gait.  People who suffered from Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain and Metatarsalgia found immediate relief wearing the shoes.  Incredibly, each pair of shoes came with crude CD displaying a variety of training exercises. The shoes also had the backing of several extensive medical studies allowing us C.Peds the ability to “train” our customers and patients in proper use of the shoes.  According to the medical studies, one can see that the shoes do in fact increase muscle activity by calling on neglected muscles to support the musculoskeletal system.

In 2005, a German shoe company called Chung Shi came to America with a shoe that provided even more physiological and muscle toning benefits.  Before you could say “roll with the changes,” we were off to the races!

Fast Forward Six Years
Leave it to creative advertising and multi-million dollar ad budgets by brand marketers like Skechers, who enticed American consumers to jump on board with the body-toning revolution of rocker soles, thus creating a new category of health and wellness footwear.  Thanks to MBT and Chung Shi, there are now dozens of manufacturers on the rocker sole bandwagon, all claiming everything from six-pack abs to a tighter tush.

Rocker Benefits
As mentioned previously, rocker soles provide added benefits that the “normal” shoe wearer would otherwise not appreciate like improved posture.  In addition, shoes like MBT and Chung Shi are proven to increase circulation and reduce edema.  Since the shoes mimic the experience of walking on soft, natural terrain, pressure is reduced on your back, knees and hips, too.

Consumer Alert
Despite what advertisers may tell you, rocker shoes—especially unstable rockers, CANNOT be worn by everyone.  Unfortunately, most people don’t know if they are a good candidate for rocker soles or what they should look out for when trying them on.  Here are a few guidelines:

• Stability: If you have balance issues, a leg length discrepancy of ½” or more or experience vertigo, it’s best to consider other options.
• Excessive Pronation:  If your ankles and feet roll in a lot and you’re not wearing good orthotics you’re asking for BIG trouble.  This will cause more stress on your feet, knees and hips and could complicate physiological issues.
• Heavy Lifting: If you lift heavy objects on a regular basis you need more stability not instability.  The natural instability of rocker sole shoes will make work more difficult and increase your chance of injury.
• Workout shoes: These are NOT workout shoes!  Rocker shoes are made to help you walk in a straight line.  Any side-to-side movement should be avoided.  Do not wear them for aerobics, running or weight training, for example.

Before you run off and buy a pair of rocker shoes, I encourage you to be evaluated for gait and stability.  A certified pedorthist can offer this assessment for you.  Just as you would not call your doctor when you have a plumbing leak, similarly, rocker soled shoes should not be purchased from the internet or just any shoe sales person.  Now you have the info to be a smart consumer.  Good luck and email me at scsfeet@sbcgloabl.net if you have any questions.

Easy Guidelines to Help You Buy the Right Shoes!

By:  Joe Dyament, C.PED

Shopping for comfort or walking shoes doesn’t need to be a chore.  In fact, here’s some quick tips to help you choose the right shoe.  And let’s get one thing out of the way right now:   yes, you may use running shoes for walking!

However, some sport walking shoes are not well designed. Avoid the following flaws:

• Lack of forefoot cushioning
• Flexibility in incorrect location – usually in the midfoot
• Lack of room in forefoot (narrow toe box)
• Inadequate support in rearfoot (weak heel counter)
• Lack of heel lift (flat like Keds or Converse high tops)
• Beware of department store name brands at a low cost.  For instance, a decent walking shoe doesn’t cost $30. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is!  Decent walkers cost $75 and up.

How to Buy Shoes

Tell the Store Your Story.  Do you have any foot problems?  What shoes have worked well for you and which ones have not?  Have you had any recent surgeries?  Are you diabetic? 

What is Your General Foot Type and Foot Shape?  Do you have a flat, medium or high arch?  Is your foot flexible or rigid?  Do you pronate (roll in) or supinate (roll out) when you walk?

Get Measured Every Time You Try On Shoes.  Our feet change with age, weight gain and loss and trauma.  Your foot size may change also.  Manufacturers often change their lasts and shoe sizes vary from one manufacturer to the next. That means you need to measure your feet!  The measurements should include sitting, standing and heel to toe, heel to ball and width.  Chances are your feet are two different sizes. THAT’S NORMAL!  Fit the shoes to the larger foot.  Don’t start off your day by trying on shoes—your feet aren’t “day-sized” yet.

Let’s Talk About Your Foot Size!  Many of us are in denial regarding our  actual foot size and it may end up hurting you in the long run!  Just because you were a size eight 10 years ago doesn’t mean you’re still an eight.  So, PLEASE disregard the size you think you are and get measured.  Wear what fits and feels good! 

Orthotics and Socks.  If you wear inserts (orthotics) bring them with you and try them in the shoes.  And be sure to wear the same type of sock when you are fitted for your shoe as you will wear when walking or participating in your activity.   Cotton socks are NOT BEST for your activity. Why?  They hold the moisture against your foot.  Your feet have 250,000 sweat glands and release up to ½ pint of moisture a day.  That wet environment is prime for bacteria and fungus.  The best socks are made of synthetic fibers that wick moisture away from your feet.  Inserts and sock liners made of antimicrobial materials are the new technology.

You Need ½” Between Your Longest Toe and the End of the Shoe.  Generally speaking, shoes should be fit with an index finger width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Be careful, the longest toe is not always the “big toe!”  The toe box should have lots of room for your toes—you should be able to wiggle them. The shoe should bend at the ball of your foot—too far back or forward and it won’t feel right.  Some heel slip is healthy!  However, the heel should not move in and out of the shoe. A too-tight heel can cause a bursa on your Achilles tendon—ouch!  Wear the shoes for 8 minutes in the store.

How Long Should Shoes Last?  A shoe’s midsole is designed to last 350 to 550 miles.  If you walk 10 miles a week, the shoes will last about one year.  Sole wearis not a good indictor of shoe wear.  Even with a new looking shoe, the midsole could be shot. Use the 350 to 550 mile rule and don’t try to guess if the shoe is worn out or still has life. 

Other Helpful Tips…Let’s face it.  If the shoes don’t feel good in the store, they’re not going to get any better at home.  Likewise, if you spend 8 minutes in the shoes, it’s a prime indicator of how the shoes will respond during your activity. 

Check the Wear.  Make sure you examine your shoes regularly.  Make sure the outsole is not worn through.  Make sure that the heel counter is not out of shape.  Look at the wear on your outsole.  The “normal” wear starts at the outside of the heel, travels along the outside of the foot to around the midfoot and then crosses over toward the big toe. 

Have Fun!  Just the fact that you’re out walking  is reason to celebrate!  And with proper shoes, your activity can be that much more enjoyable!